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Kashish – Mumbai International Queer Film Festival

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Pride parades in all metros, the historic Delhi High Court’s verdict on Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, re-launch of India’s first gay magazine Bombay Dost, the Indian Election Commission’s decision to recognize transgender as a separate category…the pink flag is rising all over India, increasing queer visibility. Kashish – Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, 2010 takes this journey further through the medium of films. The festival offers cinema as a medium to understand what being queer means, and how it impacts both the queer community and the society at large. The festival is being organized by Solaris Pictures, producers of queer films Gulabi Aaina, Yours Emotionally, 68 Pages and Bombay Dost, India’s first gay magazine, with support from Movies That Matter, Netherlands.

Kashish – Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, 2010 to be held between April 22 and April 25, 2010 will be spread across two venues in Mumbai – one in the city and one in the suburbs. Features, short films, documentaries and experimental films will be screened, highlighting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender characters and stories. The films explore the diverse realities, complexities, joys and sorrows that make up the Indian queer experience as well as celebrate, reclaim, and explain LGBTQ identities while engaging and entertaining audiences. The film festival is an attempt to bring together the audience, the films and their makers.

Many recent as well as undiscovered Indian films and contemporary international films from Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK and USA will be screened. Eminent personalities from films, art, fashion, media and queer activists will be part of the jury for its competitive sections, which will carry awards. Panel discussions about Indian queer culture and its portrayal, and a photo-exhibition will also be a part of the festival.

“Our vision is to encourage greater visibility of Indian queer cinema and bringing it into the mainstream. We are showcasing the films to both queer and mainstream audiences, in order to make them aware of queer thought, desires and expressions,” says Sridhar Rangayan, Festival Director.

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